Periodontal inflammation and the role of C-reactive protein

Periodontitis is a chronic and infectious inflammatory disease that leads to the destruction of the supporting structures of the teeth and includes local inflammation. Periodontal disease can induce a systemic inflammatory response associated with increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Periodontitis is a multifactorial disease that occurs in bacteria, and genetic and environmental factors influence it. Proinflammatory cytokines are involved in the host immune response to periodontal pathogens through association with the inflammation phenomenon. Increased CRP levels are associated with various diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, periodontal diseases, spine and other inflammatory diseases and can be an effective biomarker for predicting future risks of periodontal diseases. The extent of increase in CRP levels in periodontitis patients depends on the severity of the disease after adjusting for age, smoking, body mass index, triglycerides and cholesterol. Investigations emphasized the role of moderate elevated CRP plasma levels as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Therefore, the positive correlation between CRP and periodontal disease might be a possible underlying pathway in the association between periodontal disease and the observed higher risk for cardiovascular disease in these patients.